The government of Australia has warned its nationals against the use of Ubers, taxis and other public transport in Ghana, making Australia the third country to update its foreign travel caution on Ghana.
Canada and the United Kingdom updated their foreign travel advice on Ghana on June 6 and 7 respectively following the kidnapping of two Canadian nationals in a Ghanaian city of Kumasi.
Exercise normal safety precautions
The Australian government also urged its nationals in the wake of the kidnapping of the two Canadian nationals travelling to or living in Ghana to “exercise normal safety precautions, use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia”.
The update read in parts that: “Thieves target travellers, particularly women on their own, with mugging, bag snatching, petty theft and pickpocketing.
“These crimes are increasing in Accra and the surrounding areas. Periodic shortages of electricity and blackouts (including street and traffic lights) coincide with greater levels of crime in the evenings and at night.
“Violent crime, including kidnapping, targeting Westerners (particularly women) has increased in Ghana recently. Don’t use Ubers, taxis or other public transport. Be particularly alert at night.
“In April 2019, a foreigner was robbed at gunpoint while using public transport (Uber) in Accra and two foreigners were kidnapped in Kumasi in June 2019. Some taxi passengers have been robbed by drivers.
“You may encounter house invasions, armed robbery and other violent crimes”.
Security levels not raised
The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Andrew Barnes, said Australia’s security level on Ghana still remain intact despite the update on travel advice.
“We have just this morning updated our travel advisory here in Ghana but we haven’t raised the level,” Mr Barnes said at the West Africa Mining Security Conference in Accra on Tuesday June 11.
“…we put a bit of emphasis on Australians travelling or living in Ghana to be more aware of their personal security and we’ve mentioned that they should be careful of using public transport and taxis and Ubers and that sort of thing.
“So, just really a reminder for everyone to exercise due caution and take generally safe decisions”.
Source: Daily Mail GH|with additional information from Daily Graphic
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